Crystal Palace have won nine of 22 matches at Selhurst Park since the start of last season, losing six.
Fredrikstad have only ever won one of 11 European away games, their sole previous visits to Britain producing a goalless draw with Bangor City in 1985.
Crystal Palace vs Fredrikstad preview
Crystal Palace's first-ever major European adventure begins, so just how far will they go? Back in 1998, despite finishing bottom of the Premier League, the Eagles represented England in the UEFA Intertoto Cup because, well, they were the only club who applied. Back then, Terry Venables' side lost both legs against Samsunspor 2-0, so will be hoping it is not one and done this time round.
It has already been an historic year for Palace, picking up the club's first-ever major silverware back in May, upsetting the odds to defeat Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup Final on an emotional day at Wembley. This did earn them a place in the Europa League, but have been demoted by UEFA for breaching multi-club ownership rules, a decision upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport as recently as last Monday. So, supporters are furious that their team are in the Conference League, but they'll now be hoping to win the tournament, very much amongst the favourites to achieve this.
Already this season, Oliver Glasner's side have underlined that they can compete with anyone. First, the Eagles twice came from behind to defeat Liverpool in the FA Community Shield, ultimately prevailing on penalties. Then, on Sunday, Palace earned a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge, scandalously denied an opening goal when Eberechi Eze's free-kick was disallowed because Marc Guéhi was too close to the Chelsea wall, a rule you'll never see enforced before or since. Now though, Selhurst will be rocking for a European night, so will Palace establish a commanding first leg lead?
As for Fredrikstad, similarly to their hosts, they qualified for Europe by capturing last season's Norwegian Cup, defeating Molde on penalties in Oslo back in December. This was their 12th cup triumph, a joint-record, but only three of which have come in the last 59 years, while the most-recent of their nine league titles came in 1961. Right now, 18 matches into the current Eliteserien season, the Aristocrats are down in eighth place, winning just three of 11 fixtures since mid-May.
Unlike Palace, the Red Shorts were allowed to enter the Europa League, but weren't in it long, smashed 5-1 by Midtjylland earlier this month, beaten 3-1 at home before a 2-0 defeat in Herning last Thursday. This continues their frankly abysmal European record. Back in 1960, Fredrikstad debuted in UEFA competition in spectacular fashion by eliminating Ajax from the European Cup preliminary round, winning 4-3 at home before a goalless draw at the Olympisch Stadion.
Since then however, the Norwegian side have lost all ten European ties they've played, conceding 49 goals and scoring just 11. Most-recently, before this month, their last continental tie came against Lech Poznań in 2009, demolished 6-1 at home, making a 2-1 victory in Poland, their first ever win on the European road, of scant consolation. Thus, fair to say Andreas Hagen's team travel to South London as massive underdogs, with Crystal Palace expected to claim a commanding first leg lead.
Crystal Palace vs Fredrikstad head-to-head record
These two clubs have never previously met.
Crystal Palace team news
The headline team news on Sunday was that star man Eberechi Eze did start at Stamford Bridge, despite reportedly being close to a move to Tottenham. Oliver Glasner confirmed on Wednesday that both Eze and captain Marc Guéhi are available for selection.
Glasner is though without Chadi Riad, Cheick Doucouré, Daichi Kamada, Matheus França and Eddie Nketiah due to injury, while it's hard to know how much he'll rotate, something he doesn't like to do.
Should the manager make changes, new signing Walter Benítez could debut in goal, while there could be a first start for their only other new recruit Borna Sosa at left-wing-back. Nathaniel Clyne, Jefferson Lerma, Justin Devenny, Romain Esse and forgotten man Odsonne Édouard are amongst those also hoping Glasner has one eye on Sunday's clash with Nottingham Forest.
Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs Fredrikstad: (4-3-3): Henderson; Richards, Guéhi, Lacroix; Clyne, Lerma, Devenny, Sosa; Eze, Sarr, Mateta.
Crystal Palace player to watch vs Fredrikstad
Jean-Philippe Mateta opened his account for the new campaign against Liverpool in the Community Shield, having scored 17 goals last season, and the Frenchman remains Palace's most-likely scorer here too.
Fredrikstad team news
Andreas Hagen is without new goalkeeper Valdemar Birksø due to injury, albeit Martin Børsheim probably would've been donning the gloves regardless.
Like Palace, Fredrikstad operate out of a back three, featuring club captain Simen Rafn at right-wing-back, while Sondre Sørløkk could return to attack, having only been a substitute last Thursday.
Fredrikstad predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace: (4-3-3): Børsheim; S Owusu, Woledzi, Fredriksen; Rafn, L Owusu, Metcalfe, Øhlenschlæger, Molde; Bjartalíð, Sørløkk.
Fredrikstad player to watch vs Crystal Palace
Jóannes Bjartalíð has scored Fredrikstad's sole European goal of the campaign so far against Midtjylland, back in the team after injury, so will the Faroese striker, who has previous European expirence with Klaksvíkar Ítróttarfelag, lead them to an upset in South London?
Crystal Palace vs Fredrikstad prediction
As already outlined, we're backing Palace to cruise to victory at Selhurst, thereby giving themselves an unassailable advantage ahead of next Thursday's visit to Norway: Crystal Palace 3-0 Fredrikstad.
Crystal Palace vs Fredrikstad FAQs - Conference League
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Fredrikstad in the Conference League on TV channel?
Crystal Palace vs Fredrikstad in the Conference League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Channel 5
- USA: Palace TV+
- Canada: Palace TV+
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Fredrikstad in the Conference League on live streaming?
Crystal Palace vs Fredrikstad in the Conference League will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: My5
- USA: Palace TV+
- Canada: Palace TV+
What is the date and kick-off time for Crystal Palace vs Fredrikstad in the Conference League?
Crystal Palace vs Fredrikstad takes place on Thursday 21 August 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (BST), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PDT).